But back to the next 4 ports of call. All very exciting, but then they all are.
Muscat, Oman :- Originally thought we would do a dolphin cruise and snorkel but after reading about it and taking into account Katie's propensity to sea/travel sickness (hopefully not on big boats though), I have decided on this tour through Princess
Oman's capital is a fascinating mix of the traditional and the modern. Visit the Grand Mosque, a superb example of modern Islamic architecture. Wander the alleys of Muttrah Souk and tour the Bait al Zubair Museum for a look at traditional Omani life. After lunch, view the Sultan's Palace, a blend of modern and traditional architecture.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Grand Mosque - Commissioned by the Sultan and completed in 1992, Muscat's elegant Grand Mosque is built of Indian sandstone. The mosque features an intriguing fusion of modern and traditional architectural elements.
Muttrah Souk - At this classic souk the wares range from spices to elegant silver jewelry, traditional Omani clothing including daggers, and handicrafts made of copper and camel bone.
Bait al Zubair - This private museum chronicles Oman's history, culture and folkways. The exhibits include displays of weaponry, art and artifacts.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Al Alam Palace - The official residence of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is a blend of modern and classic Islamic architecture. The palace is flanked by two 16th century Portuguese forts.
SHOPPING
Barter for Omani handicrafts during your visit to the Muttrah Souk.
LUNCH
A buffet lunch is served at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Board your air-conditioned motorcoach for the drive to Muscat. Pass the city's elegant Shati al Qurum district en route to the Grand Mosque. Continue to Muttrah in the heart of the old city.
We then have 5 days at sea before the next port, didn't mention sea days in the previous posts only because I just thought to now. I am actually looking forward to each sea day as a chance to relax and try all the different things on board or to just sleep in, have a swim and read a book.
On to Aqaba, Jordan :- And here is the lost city of Petra, which is going to be very hot but very very exciting. Have decided to do the Princess Tour and luckily we are the only cruise ship due in that day. In fact we only share one port all the way to Dover (I didn't look past there), which from memory was Barcelona.
Next stop is the port of Ashdod, Israel (with no sea day after the Pyramids) . So I have decided on a private tour with Avitours in Israel. The price is the same for up to 4 people so we may find 2 like minded people once we get on board who would like to join us for some pampering after the big day at the Pyramids with a swim in the Dead Sea and a massage to rejuvinate our selves and make us beautiful, ha ha. This tour has exactly what we wanted as opposed to the Princess one and I have already been emailing the company who reply to my questions promptly and seem lovely.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Grand Mosque - Commissioned by the Sultan and completed in 1992, Muscat's elegant Grand Mosque is built of Indian sandstone. The mosque features an intriguing fusion of modern and traditional architectural elements.
Muttrah Souk - At this classic souk the wares range from spices to elegant silver jewelry, traditional Omani clothing including daggers, and handicrafts made of copper and camel bone.
Bait al Zubair - This private museum chronicles Oman's history, culture and folkways. The exhibits include displays of weaponry, art and artifacts.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Al Alam Palace - The official residence of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is a blend of modern and classic Islamic architecture. The palace is flanked by two 16th century Portuguese forts.
SHOPPING
Barter for Omani handicrafts during your visit to the Muttrah Souk.
LUNCH
A buffet lunch is served at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
We then have 5 days at sea before the next port, didn't mention sea days in the previous posts only because I just thought to now. I am actually looking forward to each sea day as a chance to relax and try all the different things on board or to just sleep in, have a swim and read a book.
On to Aqaba, Jordan :- And here is the lost city of Petra, which is going to be very hot but very very exciting. Have decided to do the Princess Tour and luckily we are the only cruise ship due in that day. In fact we only share one port all the way to Dover (I didn't look past there), which from memory was Barcelona.
Featured in the film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," the lost city of Petra can only be entered through the Siq - a narrow canyon barely wide enough to admit a horse and rider. Explore Jordan's finest national monument on a walking tour that explores such fabulous ruins as the Royal Tomb and the Treasury, carved out of walls of solid rock.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Siq - The tour of Petra begins with a stunning entry into the city: your guide leads you through a natural canyon, often no more than 16-feet wide, that winds through towering rock walls over 650 feet tall.
Khazneh - The "Treasury" is actually an ancient tomb carved from solid sandstone. Legend has it that pirates left treasure in the urn that sits on its upper level. The bullet marks on the urn were made by treasure seekers trying to shoot the urn open.
Roman Amphitheater - Today, archaeologists believe the stunning 8,000 seat amphitheater was carved out of the rock not by Romans but by the Nabatean people in the 2nd century BC.
Royal Tombs - Three royal tombs are carved into the face of Jebel Khubtha: the vaulted Urn Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the three-storied Palace Tomb.
LUNCH
Enjoy a buffet-style lunch at a nearby restaurant in the upper area of Petra.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
From the ship board air-conditioned motorcoaches for the 2 hour ride through Aqaba and out into the desert to Petra. Your guided walking tour covers approximately three to five miles over uneven gravel and packed sandy stretches. A long, gradual slope leads from the Siq to the Treasury and Royal Tombs. Take in the many tombs, water channels, carved temples, gates and arches along the way.
We then have another day at sea luckily to have a chance recover for we then traverse the Suez Canal before we dock at Port Said, Egypt and get to visit the pyramids!! Another Princess tour, but its a 3 hour drive each way and I would hate to break down or get lost privately and miss the boat. The final choices aren't on the Princess site yet, but as well as the pyramids and Sphinx you have other choices of what else to see on this 11 hour tour. Some of which show as, lunch on a Nile cruise, visit to Cairo museum or Step Pyramid of Sakkara. Pretty sure we all know what they look like but here is a picture anyway......picked one with crowds of people, need to be realistic.
WHAT YOU VISIT
Siq - The tour of Petra begins with a stunning entry into the city: your guide leads you through a natural canyon, often no more than 16-feet wide, that winds through towering rock walls over 650 feet tall.
Roman Amphitheater - Today, archaeologists believe the stunning 8,000 seat amphitheater was carved out of the rock not by Romans but by the Nabatean people in the 2nd century BC.
Royal Tombs - Three royal tombs are carved into the face of Jebel Khubtha: the vaulted Urn Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the three-storied Palace Tomb.
LUNCH
Enjoy a buffet-style lunch at a nearby restaurant in the upper area of Petra.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
From the ship board air-conditioned motorcoaches for the 2 hour ride through Aqaba and out into the desert to Petra. Your guided walking tour covers approximately three to five miles over uneven gravel and packed sandy stretches. A long, gradual slope leads from the Siq to the Treasury and Royal Tombs. Take in the many tombs, water channels, carved temples, gates and arches along the way.
We then have another day at sea luckily to have a chance recover for we then traverse the Suez Canal before we dock at Port Said, Egypt and get to visit the pyramids!! Another Princess tour, but its a 3 hour drive each way and I would hate to break down or get lost privately and miss the boat. The final choices aren't on the Princess site yet, but as well as the pyramids and Sphinx you have other choices of what else to see on this 11 hour tour. Some of which show as, lunch on a Nile cruise, visit to Cairo museum or Step Pyramid of Sakkara. Pretty sure we all know what they look like but here is a picture anyway......picked one with crowds of people, need to be realistic.
Next stop is the port of Ashdod, Israel (with no sea day after the Pyramids) . So I have decided on a private tour with Avitours in Israel. The price is the same for up to 4 people so we may find 2 like minded people once we get on board who would like to join us for some pampering after the big day at the Pyramids with a swim in the Dead Sea and a massage to rejuvinate our selves and make us beautiful, ha ha. This tour has exactly what we wanted as opposed to the Princess one and I have already been emailing the company who reply to my questions promptly and seem lovely.
(tour #8) Luxury desert tour
After meeting your guide at the port, you will drive to Masada to take the cable car to the summit and there you’ll tour the ruins left behind by the early Jewish rebels, when, 2,000 years ago, they lived atop the mountain, hoping to evade capture and enslavement by the Roman army. After your tour of the ruins you will proceed to one of the best spa hotels on the Dead Sea where you will swim, make use of the spa facilities, enjoy lunch and relax until it is time to return to the ship at Ashdod.
I'm getting so excited reading your blog, I can't image how excited you must be getting as this adventure comes ever closer.
ReplyDeleteExcited and frightened that I won't be ready!
ReplyDelete